BBC to axe F1 to save BBC4

[penfold_99]

I've just read in the paper BBC are set to axe the £3m per race deal to show F1 next yeah so they can fund BBC4.

It would be a shame to do this but I'm also aware of the educational value of the content on BBC4. It's a tough one.

BBC have got decisions like this wrong before when they axed 24 as they were unwilling to pay the £10m for the next 2 series but then spent that amount on hiring Graham Norton and did nothing with him for 3 years!

[laserblazer]

That will be a great shame, especially if the pay to view people get the rights. I'm surprised because the BBC coverage goes all over the world, so they must get a bit back. I suppose they have done their homework and I'd far rather keep BBC4 and lose F1.

[teejay]

Think this is a negotiating stance with Bernie to lower the fee. The teams and sponsers insist F1 is on free to air in the major countries, ITV don't want it and I can't see C4 or C5 picking it up.

[nephilim]

C5 put their hats in the ring to boost ratings for the channel and they said they would broadcast the practices as well (as is done in germany, spain etc)

[Rydra]

I'd sooner see them dump TV rights to football, as those people don't need any more damned money.

[mounters]

This story orginatied in the Sunday Times and contains some massive factual errors regarding viewing figures. Now think who owns the Times (News Corp) and who wants to by out CVC, the current owners of F1, correct News Corp! To say there's a vested interest here is an understatement.

@nephilim the Beeb already broadcast all practice sessions, via the red button and online live and then they are available recorded on both the red button service and the iplayer.

[Marci]

It's unsubstantiated rumour at the moment - the article in TheTimes and TheMail were full of statistical inaccuracies. Watch #bbcf1 and Jake on twitter. Bear in mind that TheTimes is one of Murdoch's papers, and he's wanting to do as much damage to BBC as possible to assist his bid to takeover from CVC as main investor (which Bernie / FOA denies is happening).

[nephilim]

Yes but the BBC dont broadcast it on their mainstream channels, Channel 5 would broadcast it via their channel

[penfold_99]

I read it in the daily star which is a northern and shell media publication, don't think they have are own by the man Murdoch.

the concode agreement also expires at the end of the year so they may remove the statutory requirement to be on free to air. How long did the F1 chancel last on sky? Not long as it was charged at £6 a race but free on BBC/ITV.

I would like it to stay on the BBC as itv have a habbit of sticking in advert at cricital times in the race. They put one in 2 minutes before the end of the race and everyone missed an o retake in the last corner to snatch third.

[j17sparky]

Good good. What a waste of time sport it is. I've tried to give it a fair chance this season and watched the last 5 or 6 races, the only one I even half enjoyed was monaco. I'd much rather the money be spent on doing proper documentaries like Attenboroughs

[mounters]

Yes but the BBC dont broadcast it on their mainstream channels, Channel 5 would broadcast it via their channel

I think that says more about the programming availalbe during the day on channel 5! I personally think that it being available over the red button on TV is more than adequate for the people who want to watch it, the beeb have to think of their regualr audience as well.

[AyatollahPies]

Time they did away with the TV tax.

[reggiep]

Good good. What a waste of time sport it is. I've tried to give it a fair chance this season and watched the last 5 or 6 races, the only one I even half enjoyed was monaco. I'd much rather the money be spent on doing proper documentaries like Attenboroughs

You can't have watched the Canadian GP then!

[teejay]

Time they did away with the TV tax.

Yeah, and replace it with the Muroch tax at 5 times the price, adverts and no radio stations
The BBC may not be perfect, but for approx £12 a month it's a very good service.

[Rydra]

Yeah, and replace it with the Muroch tax at 5 times the price, adverts and no radio stations
The BBC may not be perfect, but for approx £12 a month it's a very good service.

But a service not everyone wants.
The only show I have watched in a while on BBC is Doctor Who, and recently, I watched Mrs Browns Boys. I tend to listen to local radio in the mornings for traffic reporting.
I do occasionally put on Radio 1 in the car or at work, but it's rare. I want to listen to music not people waffle on for hours about what they ate for dinner or watched on TV.... Listening to someone talk about watching something I didn't want to watch or care about just doesn't appeal, and there's too much of it for my liking.
I don't watch much if any sport, except for the odd England football game, and that's usually at someone else's house or a pub and not always on BBC.
So what am I paying £120 a year for again?